Lady Plainsmen Volleyball Falls Just Short in Casper

Laramie Lady Plainsmen volleyball capped a week full of action with a semifinal appearance at the Casper Invitational last weekend.

Laramie (16-3, 4-0) won a pair of conference matches in three-set sweeps over Cheyenne Central last Tuesday and Cheyenne South last Thursday.

The Lady Plainsmen went undefeated in pool play last Friday at the Casper Events Center. They beat all three opponents in two sets; Rawlins 25-23, 25-23; Central 25-20, 25-20; and Big Horn 25-17, 25-22.

That put Laramie in the Gold Bracket. The Lady Plainsmen beat Douglas in two sets, 25-19 and 25-22 and advanced to the semifinals. It was there that LHS lost to Kelly Walsh in two sets. Scores were 23-25 and 20-25.

Sophomore Jennifer Aadland led the way in the tournament with 34 kills in the five matches. She also had eight blocks. Junior Katie Welniak contributed 27 kills and 36 digs. Junior Caely Pickerd added 16 kills and 12 blocks.

Laramie returns to action Tuesday with a non-conference home match at 6 p.m. against Rock Springs.

Cross Country

Led by three freshman, the Laramie Lady Plainsmen cross country squad won the Loveland Sweetheart Invitational last Friday in Loveland, CO.

Laramie’s girls scored 49 points and beat runner-up Cheyenne Central by 13 points.

Freshman Abigail Whitman came in sixth place with a time of 20:09. Right behind her in seventh was fellow freshman Emmy Johnson, who crossed the line in 20:26. Freshman Jayla Wulff took tenth at 20:50. Two more Lady Plainsmen runners finished in the top 14.

The Plainsmen ended up third and scored 73 points, which was 21 back of team champion Fort Collins (51). Poudre (Fort Collins) was a close second with 53.

Individually, Laramie placed three in the top eight. Junior Albert Steiner was third in a time of 16:43. Junior Phillip Henry finished fourth at 16:46. Junior Liam McInroy took eighth at 17:07.

Girl’s Swimming and Diving

Laramie had a split in their two competitions at Sheridan last weekend.

Friday, the Lady Plainsmen lost their dual to the Broncs, 97-86. They won six events or half of the dual meet. Freshman Olivia McPherson led the way with victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Laramie is 9-2 in duals this season.

Despite just three event wins, the Lady Plainsmen came through with a win in the four-team Sheridan Invite last Saturday. They scored 387 points and topped the host Broncs by 11 points. McPherson won the 50 free, Maggie Clerkin captured the 200 free and Teryn White posted a victory on the diving board.

Laramie returns to competition with a double dual against Cheyenne South and Rawlins Tuesday at the LHS Natatorium.